DIVERSITY OF INSECTS WITH POTENTIAL PESTS ON CAYENNE PEPPER (Capsicum frutescens L.) IN BANJAR BANGAH, BATURITI VILLAGE, TABANAN REGENCY

Abstract

Cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) is one of the horticultural plants from the vegetable type that has small fruit with a spicy taste. Chili pepper plants are one of the plants that can be attacked by pests from the start of growth until harvest. Pests that attack plants are generally animals. In general, plant pests are grouped into three groups, namely the mammal group, the insect group, and the bird group (arves). To produce chili pepper plants that can avoid pest attacks, observation and collection of data and information regarding disturbances are very important to do. The available information can be used to be applied in field management and decision making. This paper aims to explore and find out information on the types of insects that have the potential to be pests on chili pepper plants in Banjar Bangah, Baturiti Village, Tabanan Regency. Observations were carried out from October to December 2024 using a survey method. The results of observations in the field showed that the insect pests that attack chili pepper plants include (1) aphids that attack by sucking the liquid on the leaves. The leaves become dry and the leaf surface curls, (2) whiteflies that cause direct damage to plants are in the imago and nymph phases. Whiteflies suck leaf fluids and cause symptoms of necrotic spots on the leaves that damage the cells and leaf tissue, and (3) thrips are important pests on chili plants. Thrips pests are usually found on the inside of the leaves and live in colonies. Like other groups of phytophagous thrips, these insects damage plants by grating and sucking.